Hello Raspberry Families!
Welcome back and I hope you all had a wonderful break!
Weather and seasons are one of the most important themes we teach in the preschool curriculum. Because my Raspberries are so curious I will encourage them to discover the world around them—especially seasons, weather, insects and nature. At this point , we’ve become comfortable with all the elements of our morning routine in the circle discussion (counting /taking attendance, talking about what day it is, discussing the weather and so on). Must say that I love the sense of amazement our kiddos have when they look out the window and check the weather—even on a rainy day!
Monthly Curriculum
Theme: Spring
Value: Patience
Color: Rainbow
Multicultural Visit: Europe
Animal: insects
Community Helper: teacher
Additional Theme: Weaher cycles
Letters/Sounds: Vv, Qq
Numbers: 30-40
Outing: Kidspace
As in every preschool classroom, these plans may evolve to better suit the interests of the children. I will be updating parents with pictures, videos, and write ups of what the children are learning and doing during the day. These will be posted to our Bloomz app.
** Week One
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This week I will be teaching our kids about Springtime , rainbows, the letter “V” and pentagon/hexagon shapes.
Math
-This week students will learn how to sort by attributes. They will sort shapes and other collections by size, color, thickness, and shape.
-Will focus on numbers 30-40 using Montessori materials.
Reader’s Workshop
This week we will use reading strategies (talk like the characters, re-read familiar books, sound out words) to read individually and with a partner.
Mindfulness
This week in mindfulness we can explore ways to be mindful to our environment
Writer’s Workshop
Our storytellers will add new skills to their writing repertoire. They will learn about speech bubbles and how to add dialogue to make their stories come alive. Our students will also continue to work on adding details and drawings, stretching out words, and enhancing their work.
Phonics
This week students will learn the letter V , the sound it makes, and how to write it correctly.
Home connection: Find some things around your house that begin with the above letter.
Teaching for Understanding
Spring theme: What season are we in now? How can we tell?
In what season is it easiest to play outdoors? In what season is it hardest?
How does the weather change in Spring? Does the amount of sunlight change?
Activities:
Art:Rainbow drawing/pipe cleaners
Flower collage/ painting
V is for Vase activity
Sensory: flower sensory bottle/ bin/playdough
Math: patterning with flowers
And much more
Week Two
This week we will focus on insects, it’s body parts and importance in our environment. We will also bring the weather cycle to life for our students with a variety of fine/gross motor skills (fingerplay/ songs)as to help them commit the cycle to memory (Precipitation is when rain is falling from a cloud. Accumulation is when rain falls from a cloud and collects in a puddle. Evaporation is when water rises to the sky. Condensation is when water collects into clouds. Precipitation (rain) happens after condensation)
I know what you’re thinking—that’s a lot to explain, and it’s pretty scientific. But we don’t need to dwell on complex technical definitions to get the point across.
Phonics:
This week students will learn the letter Q,the sound it makes and how to write it correctly. Home Connection: Find some things around your house that begin with letter Q.
Writers Workshop
Weekend activity
Story sequence activity
Math
We will continue to focus on numbers 30 to 40 using Montessori materials
Reader’s Workshop
This week we will continue to use reading strategies (talk like the characters, re-read familiar books, sound out words) to read individually and with a partner.
Activities
Alphabet Roll a Ball activity
Examining bugs with a magnifying glass
Weather book illustrations activity
Insect sensory play
April sun/rainbow collage
Upcoming Events
PLAY Family Outing
Saturday, April 14th!
The entire school community is invited to meet up at Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena at 10am. Please have your child wear their PLAY shirt so others know you are with our school group!
These monthly outings, ‘Field Trips’, are aligned with our themed curriculum and give your child the opportunity to share what they are learning in class with you. They also give families the opportunity to meet each other and make new friends! You might even see a teacher there with their family!
Reminders
– If you plan on parking in our lot, we ask that you please limit your stay to 10 minutes. Lingering in the lot makes it difficult for other parents trying to Pick Up/Drop Off their child on time.
– I know saying goodbye can be hard, but you can do it and so can your child!! Remember to keep a consistent routine throughout the year, prepare your child for your departure, validate their feelings, and remind them that you will be back.
– Hot lunch will continue to be $5 when ordered in advance, however if ordered the day of or by the week it will be billed at $6.
– Show and Tell is every Friday! Encourage your child to bring in a special toy of their choice to share with the class. Show & Tell is great because it’s fun for the kids and simultaneously enhances effective communication, strengthens their vocabulary , improves their listening skills, and promotes self confidence.
– Date Night is every other Saturday from 5:00pm-12:00am. $15/hr for an individual child or $20/hr for a pair of siblings (min. charge is $60). Dinner and a movie are also provided.
– We are now NUT FREE! We have a number of students in the school allergic to peanuts and tree nuts, in order to keep them safe we ask that you please do not send your child to school with any products containing nuts. If you would like a list of nut-free food suggestions let me know and I will get you a list!
– And lastly, a personal request from myself, please try to label all of your child’s items! Many families buy the same things and sometimes other students or teachers may move your child’s items mistakenly; labeling your things will greatly help avoid any mishaps!
If you have any other questions about the parent handbook feel free to ask myself, Gabriel, or Ms. Annie.
School Calendar 2018
April
Tuesday – 3rd- Back from Spring Break
Saturday – 7th- Date Night with Mrs. Gloria
Saturday – 14th – PLAY Family Outing
Saturday -21st – LAST Date Night with Ms. Jennifer
Wednesday – 25th – Disney Character dress up day!
May
Friday – 4th – Star Wars Day
Saturday – 5th – Date Night with Ms. Diana & Ms. Lorraine
Monday – 7th – PLAY’s Cinco De Mayo Fiesta
Monday – 7th- Teacher Appreciation Week – Give a Creative gift
Tuesday – 8th – Teacher Appreciation Week – Give the gift of Food
Wednesday – 9th – Teacher Appreciation Week – Give a gift that Grows
Thursday – 10th – Teacher Appreciation Week – Give the gift of Touch
Friday – 11th – Teacher Appreciation Week – Give a Class gift
Friday – 11th – Moms & Muffins
Saturday – 19th – Date Night with Mrs. Hasmik & Ms. Cynthia
Monday – 21st – Blueberry Parent Teacher Conferences
Tuesday – 22nd – Kiwi & Peach Parent Teacher Conferences
Wednesday – 23rd – Strawberry & Raspberry Parent Teacher Conferences
Thursday – 24th – Pineapple Parent Teacher Conferences
Monday – 28th – NO SCHOOL – Memorial Day